CHARACTERISTICS OF CALLING CONGREGATIONS

Calling Congregations form leaders for the church—many of whom are called into the ministry of

pastoral leadership. We contend that calling congregations, across traditions and geography, have

certain common characteristics. These qualities are not unique to Calling Congregatiuons, but they are

elements of cultures which nurture people to become pastors.

The culture of a Calling Congregation can be described as…

A good-enough home to support the growth and development of people over time and life

circumstance.

A place where something important is at stake in the life of faith, for the sake of individual

people, for the communities of the world and for all creation.

A seat of resistance to that which thwarts the fulfillment of God’s vision of justice,

reconciliation and abundant life.

A site of interpretation to make God-sense of people’s lives in a world of non-sense.

A healthy place for pastors to love and be loved, to serve and lead the church in being the

church.

The activities of Calling Congregations include…

Investing resources of time, money, and opportunity to integrate young people fully in the life

of the church.

Naming a young person’s gifts through the eyes of God—rather than through the lenses of

grades, prizes, and achievement,.

Inviting young people into the life of Christian discipleship and, specifically, into Christian

ministry in all its many forms.

Apprenticing young people, particularly those who might become ministers, in ministry.

Caring for pastors and other leaders in the church in tangible ways.

9-2012 PF Culture of Call

BIBLICAL CALL STORIES AND LECTIONARY CONNECTIONS

Abraham: Genesis 12:1-9 Lent 2A

Abraham and Sarah: Genesis 18:1-15

Moses: Exodus 3 11th Sunday after Pentecost A

Samuel: 1 Samuel 1-2 (the “back story”)

1 Samuel 3: 1-10 Epiphany 2B

Isaiah: Isaiah 6 Trinity Sunday B and Epiphany 5C

Jeremiah: Jeremiah 1 Epiphany 4C and 13th Sunday after Pentecost C

Esther: Esther 4:12-17

Zechariah: Luke 1:5-25

Mary: Luke 1:26-38 Advent 4B

Jesus: Luke 4:14-21 Epiphany 3C

Simon, Andrew, James and John: Mark 1:16-20 Epiphany 3B

Levi: Mark 2:13-17 Epiphany 8B

Paul : Acts 9:1-39 Easter 3C

9-2012 PF Culture of Call

Helpful books related to general call/discernment/vocation: Bass, Dorothy C. & Mark R. Schwehn, eds. Leading Lives That Matter: What We

Should Do and Who We Should Be. Grand Rapids, MI Eerdmans.

Campbell, Dennis M. The Yoke of Obedience: The Meaning of Ordination in Methodism. Nashville: Abingdon.

Clapper, Greg. Living Your Hearts Desire: God’s Call and Your Vocation. Nashville: Upper Room.

Holderness, Ginny Ward. Career and Calling: A Guide for Counselors, Youth and Young Adults. Louisville, KY: Geneva Press

Leider, Richard. The Power of Purpose: Creating Meaning in Your Life and Work. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler

Mahan, Brian. Forgetting Ourselves on Purpose: Vocation and the Ethics of Ambition. San Francisco: Josey-Bass

Neafsey, John. A Sacred Voice is Calling: Personal Vocation and Social Conscience. New York: Orbis

Palmer, Parker J. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Parks, Sharon Daloz. Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Young Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose and Faith. San Francisco: Josey-Bass.

Placher, William C., ed. Callings: Twenty Centuries of Christian Wisdom on Vocation. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans

Smith, Christian. Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. New York: Oxford University Press

Svennungsen, Ann & Melissa Wiginton, eds. Awakened to a Calling: Reflections on the Vocation of Ministry. Nashville: Adingdon

Other Books Related to United Methodism and Clergy Roles:

The General Board of Higher Education, Board of Higher Education & Ministry. The Christian as Minister.

Berry, Jo. Making Your Life a Ministry. Zondervan

Cetuk, Virginia Samuel. What to Expect in Seminary: Theological Education as Spiritual Formation. Nashville: Abingdon

Cullinan, Alice R. Sorting It Out: Discerning God’s Call to Ministry. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press

Guiness, Os. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. Nashville: Word Publishing.

Hamilton, Adam. Leading Beyond the Walls: Developing Congregations with a Heart for the Unchurched. Abingdon Press

Hoge, Dean R. & Jacqueline E. Wenger. Pastors in Transition: Why Clergy Leave Local Church Ministry. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans

Hybels, Bill. Character: Who You are When No One’s Looking. InterVarsity Press

Maxwell, John C. Developing the Leader Within You. Thomas Nelson

Pagitt, Doug and the Solomon’s Porch Community. Reimagining Spiritual Formation: A Week in the Life of an Experimental Church. Zondervan

Parker, Ronald E. Do I Belong in Seminary? The Alban Institute, Inc.

Yaconelli, Michael. Messy Spirituality. Zondervan

Websites to check out:

Exploration 2011 – www.gbhem.org/exploration

The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) – www.thefund.org

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry – www.gbhem.org

Lewis Center for Church Leadership – www.churchleadership.com

Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation – www.ptev.org

United Methodist Student Movement – www.gbhem.org/yasn

The Young Adult Seminarians Network – www.gbhem.org/yasn

9-2012 PF Culture of Call

RESOURCES FOR ADULTS WHO ARE DISCERNING GOD’S CALL

Understanding God’s Call by the Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Designed to help any Christian explore how faith and vocation are related. It is to be used with a guide, which allows you to explore how God calls you through your interests and skills, the world’s needs, and your life experiences with a particular significance to those who are exploring a call to ordained or licensed ministry.

I Was in Prison: UM Perspectives on Prison Ministry by the Board of Higher Education and

Ministry

The Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley. Deals with the 5 characteristics of persons who

are called to leadership: courage, clarity, competence, coachability, and character.

Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels. Leaders are “biased toward action” and demonstrate

character, Christlikeness, and competence.

Awakened to a Calling: Reflections on the Vocation of Ministry, edited by Svennungsen and

Wiginton.

The Great Omission by Dallas Willard. Reclaiming Jesus’ teachings on discipleship.

The Call by Os Guinness. This is a classic on the meaning of God’s call.

A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey by Brian McLaren

More Ready Than You Realize by Brian McLaren. The world is ripe for persons who can engage

others on a spiritual journey. McLaren shows the form faith-sharing must take in the 21st

century.

9-2012 PF Culture of Call

Resources/Opportunities within the United Methodist Church

to assist you as you discern God’s Call upon you.

Greater United Methodist Church

1. United Methodist Mission Intern: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/connections/youth/interns/

The Mission Intern Program is a leadership development and social justice opportunity for young adults

(20-30 years old). The three-year program is divided into a 18-month international work/study assignment

and a 18-month action/education assignment in one's own country. It is an opportunity for young people to

hear the prophetic voice of communities and individuals around the world who are working for systemic

change and to apply that experiential learning to their home context. The program encourages participants

to learn about and live out the transformative gospel of Jesus Christ while working as grassroots organizers

and/or advocates in areas of conflict resolution, peace, education, environmental justice, economic

development, indigenous rights, and women's and children's issues.

2. Global Justice Intern : http://new.gbgm-

umc.org/connections/youth/lives/?search=summer%20intern&C=5207&I=41872

3. US-2 Program Goals & Selection Criteria http://new.gbgm-umc.org/connections/youth/us2/

The US-2 Program is a domestic, two-year, faith and justice-centered leadership-development and mission-

service program for adults, ages 20-30, interested in partnering in solidarity with faith-based organizations.

US-2s will integrate faith and justice by learning, walking, and working with communities in their

struggles to address systemic injustice and human suffering. US-2s will boldly reexamine their roles and

participation in society as they struggle with issues, such as hunger, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, illiteracy,

children at risk, substance abuse, racism, domestic violence, and inadequate healthcare.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent life experience is required.

4. The Ethnic Young Adults Summer Internship Designed for young adults, between the ages of 18

and 22, representing the five ethnic caucuses of The United Methodist church. Applicants must have an

interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy, and social change. Information about

the EYA program can be obtained from Christie at (202) 488-5611 or nchristie@umc-gbcs.org.

http://umc-gbcs.org/get-connected

6. Volunteer Opportunities http://new.gbgm-umc.org/connections/volunteers/

Volunteers embody Christian love in action as they bring their diverse talents to mission programs,

projects, and institutions, local outreach ministries, and emergency response and recovery work

around the world. Explore the many volunteer opportunities and programs by clicking onto:

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/connections/volunteers/

"Youth Mission Opportunities List" to explore projects across the U.S. where your youth group can

volunteer on your mission trip

5. Explore Calling: www.explorecalling.org

A United Methodist Website devoted entirely to assist you as you discern your call to ministry. Wherever

you are on your journey, this website will provide articles, resources, links to related Web sites, and

publications to help you explore and answer God’s call. This section on exploring ministry will offer

information about the types of ministry, where and to whom you can look for guidance, questions to

consider, and links to where to purchase helpful resources such as Answering God’s Call for Your Life.

If you are considering the path of an elder, deacon, local pastor, or chaplain, you will find descriptions of

the work, the educational requirements, and the steps into ministry

Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church

1. Ministry Internship Program:

Each year the Susquehanna Conference ,through the work of the Enlistment and Interpretation

Committee, offers at least two internships in local churches. This provides an opportunity for college

age individuals to actively discern their call to ministry, specifically the ordained ministry in the

United Methodist Church. The focus of the internship is determined by the mentoring pastor and the

intern. The ministry intern is expected to be engaged in ministry for approximately 10-12 hours per

week during the weeks that school is in session. In return for 10-12 hours of ministry each week of

the academic year,$5,000 will be paid directly to the student's college or university as a scholarship

grant. Go to www.susumc.org link onto Board of Ordained Ministry, Resources, Ministry Internship

2. Gods’ Call Camp Pastors: Pastors of the Susquehanna Conference are invited to spend three days at a

specifically choosen conference camp, working with the camp dean to help the campers explore God’s Call

upon their lives. These individuals will be asked to share their call stories, provide leadership in working

with the youth within the context of planning a worship experience, and introducing and and assisting the

campers learn more about God’s Call upon them, and tools available for them in their discernment process.

For more information go to the Go to www.susumc.org link onto Board of Ordained Ministry, Resources,

God’s Call Camp Pastor.

3. God’s Call Event for Adults: This event is held annually for adults discerning a call to the ordained

ministries, local pastor and/or certified ministries of the United Methodist Church. A one day event to assist

individuals discerning a call to ministry, providing inspiring speakers, call stories, and quality information

to assist them in their discernment journey. Go to www.susumc.org link onto Board of Ordained Ministry,

Resources, Adult God’s Call Event

4.. Nation United Methodist Church Exploration Event Scholarship

A gathering for young people considering ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. This event is

( held every 2 years) sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United

Methodist Church. The SUS Board of Ordained Ministry has offered a limited number of scholarships

through the E&I Committee to assist individuals from the Susquehanna Conference to attend this

conference. Go to www.susumc.org link onto Board of Ordained Ministry, Resources, link onto God’s

Calling Listen with Your Heart Brochure.

6. The Enlistment and Interpretation Committee of the Susquehanna Conference of the United

Methodist Church, Board of Ordained Ministry.

Many individuals have felt God calling them into some form of Christian service. Some serve Christ as

youth leaders, others as musicians, and still others as pastors. Some are ordained as deacons, serving

the church within the community. Others are ordained as elders, serving the church in various

settings. The Committee on Enlistment and Interpretation, part of the Board of Ordained

Ministry, wants to help you recognize, discern, and consider God’s call.

http://susumcboom.org/committee/index.html

4/2013 CD Culture of Call

Top 10 Ways for Local Churches to Support Candidates for Ordained Ministry

When someone from your local church decides to attend seminary and enter ordained ministry, your church has reason to celebrate. You have nurtured and supported this person as they discerned a call to ministry. One of the greatest things you can do is to continue to support students while they are at seminary. They need to know they are still a part of the life of your congregation. Below are 10 suggestions for ways that local churches can support their candidates throughout their journey: 1.) Send care packages and cards around the holidays and toward the end of the semester. It is important to let your seminarian know that you are thinking about them! 2.) Include seminary students on the prayer list and send notes periodically to let them know that you are praying for them! If your church has a prayer shawl ministry, consider giving one to the student. 3.) Support the United Methodist Student Day Offering by taking a special offering each and every year! Students in the annual conference and around the world appreciate the scholarships, loans, and grants that are made possible by faithful giving practices of our connectional church and the generous support of your congregation! 4.) There are some costs associated with the Candidacy Process that are not covered by funds allotted from United Methodist Student Day or other scholarships. Check in with your student, district superintendent or your annual conference’s board of ministry to inquire about ways you can offer financial support. If you are a small charge or have multiple candidates from your church, consider doing a joint fundraising event to support them each year. 5.) Consider buying your seminarian some of the essentials for ministry: an alb, The Book of Discipline, The Book of Worship, and/or The United Methodist Hymnal. 6.) Be accountable to re-certifying the candidates during your annual charge conference. This is not just an annual formality or obligatory paperwork, but a time for communal learning and sharing, as you can talk with the seminary student about their past year. Consider using Skype during the meeting so you can video chat even if the candidate isn’t able to attend. 7.) Consider hosting a luncheon or reunion type event for seminary and college students during Thanksgiving or Christmas break or another vacation time. There is joy in fellowship and strength in solidarity! 8.) Invite seminarians to preach or serve as a liturgist when they are present in worship. It is nice to give seminarians opportunities to minister to their own congregations. Some may say no, but all will appreciate being asked. 9.) Send your seminarian as one of the lay representatives from your church to annual conference. Consider nominating them to serve as a delegate to General Conference every four years. 10.) Clergy, educate yourself and your staff about how to encourage potential candidates in discerning their call. Provide assistance in initiating the Candidacy Process and offer resources to help them explore seminary education. Please be sure to approach the Candidacy Process as a valuable discernment opportunity, consider signing up for mentor training events, and always have a copy of the most recent edition of Understanding God’s Call: A Ministry Inquiry Process and Christian as Minister on your bookshelf.

Top 10 Ways to Discourage Ministerial Candidates By Meg Lassiat with Deborah Bushfield* 10. Schedule interview days at your convenience. Don’t worry if it coincides

with the candidates’ Christmas break or finals week.

9. Make it hard for potential candidates to find the forms they need. Make sure they have to call 2 or 3 committee members before they find the person who knows how access the forms or enroll in candidacy.

8. Give them a burned-out mentor, someone who doesn’t relate well to those who still have enthusiasm for the church and its work.

7. Be vague when you communicate with them about deadlines. Don’t provide a timeline.

6. Assume that you know what is best for all candidates. Make arbitrary decisions about whether to ordain them as deacons or elders based on the jobs they are seeking, rather than their calls to ministry. Play down the options open to those who may want to become elders in extension ministries or deacons.

5. Ignore their individual needs, such as family, finances, culture, etc.

4. Assume they are immature rather than simply young.

3. Don’t respond to their emails, phone calls, and questions.

2. Lose their names and addresses, and assume that if they’re serious, they’ll contact you again.

And the Number One way you can discourage ministerial candidates:

1. When people contact you about starting the candidacy process, make them call back at least two more times before you return their calls. Then wait at least a year before assigning them a mentor.

The Rev. Meg Lassiat is the director of student ministries, vocation and enlistment, the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

Deborah Bushfield is a freelance writer who is a lifelong United Methodist and the co-author of the book, Things They Never Taught You in Seminary (Herald Press).

Copyright © 2007 by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church Copyright Permissions.